Belts

[Doc]

Hopefully I enterd my name correctly in the signature. If not let me know.

My question is (I believe it was discussed here before or I may have read it elsewhere, I am not sure) if one is trying to depict a mid 1st century centurion, what would be the most accurate representation with respect to belts. The two belt "cowboy" system one for pugio and one for the sword or the baldric for the sword and belt for the pugio.

If the two belt system is accurate would it be wide belt plates or thinner belt plates.

I have seen many tombstone representations but I sometimes cannot tell from the stone or sometimes the photo does not have a date related to it so I cannot tell the time period.

Any help as always will be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Paolo

[Geoffrey]

Paolo,
If you look under the post "Veteran Legionary", Jim Bowers informed me that if wearing the crossed belts, then the thinner would be more accurate.

[Tarbicus]

By far one of the best things you can do is browse through the RA.com Imagebase, which has shed loads of tombstones.
http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/component/ ... Itemid,94/

I spent half an hour there yesterday during a lull, looking for unusual dagger hilt assemblies (sad man).

Check out Mike Bishop's post at this link as well, and take a look at the excellent PDF of his.
http://www.romanarmy.com/rat/viewtopic. ... 721#119721

[Crispvs]

I would say, based on what we can see on certain stelae and comparing it with the archaeological evidence, that two belts with type 'A' ('narrow') plates would be fine, as would one with type 'A' paired with one with type 'B' ('wide' or perhaps more accurately, featuring a central rondel or motif) plates. In fact, I would have no problem with two belts, both with type 'B' plates.

A note on plates, if you are thinking of getting type 'B' plates please try and go for stamped or embossed ones as this is how the vast majority of the original ones seem to have been done. Cast type 'B' plates do exist, but they are few in number by comparison. Also, whatever plates you choose, don't feel that the designs on both belts have to match - the real ones often don't seem to have. Some individual belts even seem to have featured a mixture of plates. It is worth remembering also that whilst they are not so popular with re-enactors, plain type 'A' plates seem to have been quite common, although decorated ones are in the majority.

Crispvs

[Tarbicus]

Paolo,
If you look under the post "Veteran Legionary", Jim Bowers informed me that if wearing the crossed belts, then the thinner would be more accurate.

Ah, Germanicus' expedition would have been earlier 1st C, IIRC. Crispus gives top advice, as usual.

[Doc]

Thank you all for the assistance. This helps me greatly

Paolo